African violet plant named Berlin

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of African violet named Berlin characterized by its extra large growth habit (30-40 cm in diameter); blue, star-shaped, semi-double flowers with frilled white edges; strong stems which curve toward the center to form a bouquet above the leaves; profuse flowering; large, medium green, wavy leaves; flowering 12-13 weeks after planting of unrooted shoot, and by its long lasting and non-dropping flowers.

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of Africanviolet plant, botanically known as Saintpaulia ionantha, and hereinafterreferred to by the cultivar name Berlin.

The new cultivar was referred to during the breeding and selectionprocess by the designation 905/50 bl.si.ra. and is a product of aplanned breeding program. The cultivar was originated from a cross madeby me in the controlled breeding program in Haffen, Federal Republic ofGermany. The female, or seed parent, was a cultivar designatedArizona/6/III. The male, or pollen parent, was a cultivar designated 282Molokai.

Berlin was discovered and selected by me as a flowering plant within theprogeny of the stated cross in a controlled environment in Haffen, WestGermany. Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by leaf cuttings, asperformed by me at Haffen, West Germany, has demonstrated that thecombination of characteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivarare firmly fixed and retained through successive generations of asexualreproduction.

Berlin has not been observed under all possible environmentalconditions. The phenotype may vary significantly with variations inenvironment such as temperature, light intensity and day length. Thefollowing observations, measurements and values describe the newcultivar as grown in a 15 cm pot in Haffen, West Germany and Nashville,Tenn. under greenhouse conditions which closely approximate thosegenerally used in commercial practice.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe basic characteristics of Berlin, wich in combination distinguish thisAfrican violet as a new and distinct cultivar:

1) A single crown will grow as large as 30-40 cm in diameter.

2) Blue, star-shaped, semi-double flowers with frilled white edges.

3) Strong, wirelike and upright flower stems curving toward the center.

4) First flash of flowers forms a bouquet above the leaves.

5) Profuse flowering.

6) Each plant carries 8-11 and more upright flower stems each of whichcarries 8-10 and more flowers.

7) Long lasting, non-dropping flowers.

8) Plant saleable 12 to 13 weeks after planting of unrooted shoot.

9) Seed capsules push slightly through.

10) Large medium green, wavy leaves.

11) After maturity the flowers dry off, and remain on the pedunclewithout becoming infected by botrytis.

The accompanying color photographic drawing shows a typical specimenplant of the new cultivar grown in a 15 cm pot. The colors appearing inthe photograph are as true as possible with color illustrations of thistype.

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Color Chart (R.H.S.), except where general colorsof ordinary significance are referred to. Color values were taken undernatural sunlight conditions at approximately 12 p.m. in Nashville, Tenn.

Botanical classification: Saintpaulia ionantha, Ramat., c.v. Berlin.

Parentage:

Male parent.--282 Molokai.

Female parent.--Arizona/6/III.

Propagation: The new cultivar holds its distinguishing characteristicsthrough successive propagations by leaf cuttings.

Plant: From 10 cm to 13 cm tall when grown in pots, and 35-40 cm indiameter when fully grown.

Leaves.--General form: Oval. Diameter: 75-90 mm wide and 85-90 mm long.Texture: Velvety. Aspect: Wavy, serrated, hairy, shiny. Veins:Upperside: visible; underside: well pronounced, light green, shiny.Color (upperside): Yellow-green group 147 A. Color (underside):Greyed-green group 194 C with touches of Greyed-Purple Group 186 C to D.Young leaves are Greyed-Purple Group 186 B to C. Petiole: Strong, greenwith brownish touch, hairy.

Flowers.--Buds: Size: 8-10 mm just before opening. Shape: Bell-shaped.Color: Green with bluish touch. Sepals: Five (5). Color: Reddish brown.Calyx: Shape: Funnel-shaped. Aspect: Spear-shaped, hairy. Peduncle:Character: Strong upright, hairy. Color: Brownish green. Individualflowers: Size: 45-48 mm Shape: Star-shaped, semi-double with frillededges. Color (upperside): Violet-blue group 93 B to C. Under coolertemperatures and more intensive lighting, the blue tends to intensity.Color (underside): Violet-blue group 89 D. Borne: Each flower stemcarries 8-10 and more flowers on strong, upright peduncles that are freestanding above the leaves, thereby forming a compact bouquet. Floweringhabit: Flowers 12-13 weeks after planting an unrooted plantlet.

Reproductive organs.--Stamens: Five (5 ). Anthers: 5 composed of 10anther cells, seed capsule pushes slightly through. Filaments: Yellowishgreen, 4-5 mm long. Styles: 6-7 mm long, purplish blue, base of ovarylight green and hairy.

Roots.--Normally developed, white when young, turning slightly brownishwhen older.

Diease resistance: Up to date, Berlin has shown very good resistance toall major violet diseases.

General observations: Berlin is a very attractive cultivar due to itsextra large growth habit. It is designed to be grown in a 15 cm pot(instead of the regular 10 cm pot) and will grow as large as 35-40 cm indiameter. (The diameter can vary depending on how firmly the pottingmedium is compressed). A nice bouquet of flowers free standing above theleaves develops 12-13 weeks after planting an unrooted plantlet. Each ofthe 8-11 and more strong flower stems carries 8-10 and more star-shaped,semi-double blue flowers with frilled white edges. The anthers areusually covered up by several small petals in the center. The flowersare long-lasting and non-dropping. The bouquet is surrounded by large,medium green, wavy leaves.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of African violet named Berlin,as described and illustrated, and particularly characterized by itsextra large growth habit (30-40 cm in diameter); blue, star-shaped,semi-double flowers with frilled white edges; strong stems which curvetoward the center to form a bouquest above the leaves; profuseflowering; large, medium green, wavy leaves; flowering 12-13 weeks afterplanting of unrooted shoot, and by its long lasting and non-droppingflowers.